Metro Diner could be going nationwide, thanks to new partnership

Metro Diner's partnership with the men who built up Carrabba's Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse could help the local favorite restaurant expand nationwide.

Before that happens, the diner plans to add two locations in the area — one at Southside and Baymeadows and another in St. Augustine.

The expansion plans started coming together when the Davoli family, which founded Metro Diner, met with the founders of the ConSul Hospitality Group — Carl Sahlsten, Hugh Connerty Jr. and Chris Sullivan. When the two groups realized they had the same restaurant philosophies, they decided to form a partnership.

The Davolis will continue to run the day-to-day operations of the Metor Diners, Mark Davoli said, while the ConSul team brings the expertise necessary to expand outside of the city.

Metro Diner is close to signing leases for the two local expansions, Davoli said. They would next like to expand throughout the state, going to nearby cities like Orlando, Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. After that, going nationwide isn't out of the question.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work, which is basically what the restaurant business is," Davoli said. "It would be pretty neat to continue to be able to grow."

Davoli said that ConSul will be financial partners in the expansion, as well as help design the long-term business plans.

Sahlsten, CEO of ConSul Hospitality Group, said that teaming up with Metro Diner was a natural partnership.

"We're really excited to partner with them," he said. "First and foremost, they have a great restaurant. They've had a lot of success in Jacksonville; we think we can help them to grow the restaurant even further."